Abstract
The innovations of the industrial revolution often led to dull jobs that were mindless, boring, monotonous, and/or fatiguing. I propose here that the misapplication of computer systems in the current technological revolution is also leading us to dull jobs. This is not appropriate, since there is reason to believe that skilled and empowered workers are more cost-effective. These misapplications of computer systems must be avoided.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Brunila, M. (1990). There is a working life after 50. InWork health safety (TTT) (pp. 23–25). Helsinki, Finland: Institute of Occupational Health.
Education and utilization of human factors specialists: Results of a survey (1990). Panel at the 34th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors Society, Orlando, FL.
Henning, R. A., Sauter, S. L., Salvendy, G., &Krieg, E. F., Jr. (1989). Microbreak length, performance, and stress in a data entry task.Ergonomics,32, 855–864.
Kantowitz, B. H., &Sorkin, R. D. (1987). Allocation of functions. In G. Salvendy (Ed.),Handbook of human factors (pp. 355–369). New York: Wiley.
Kilborn, P. T. (1990, December 23). Workers using computers find a supervisor inside.The New York Times, p. 1.
Nickerson, R. S. (1986).Using computers: The human factors of in-formation systems. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Norman, D. A. (1988).The psychology of everyday things. New York: Basic Books.
Osterman, P. (1989). New technology and the organization of work: A review of the issues. In D. C. Mowery & B. E. Henderson (Eds.),The challenge of new technology to labor-management relations (BLMR Publication No. 135, pp. 5–13). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
Rogers, M. (1991, January 7). The right button.Newsweek, pp. 46–47.
Rosa, R. R., Colligan, M. J., &Lewis, P. (1989). Extended work-days: Effects of 8-hour and 12-hour rotating shift schedules on performance, subjective alertness, sleep patterns, and psychosocial variables.Work & Stress,3, 21–32.
Silva, C. (1990, August 15). Back to the lab.Datamation, pp. 57–59.
Smith, M. J. (1989). New technology, health and safety, and labor-management relations. In D. C. Mowery & B. E. Henderson (Eds.),The challenge of new technology to labor-management relations (BLMR Publication No. 135, pp. 17–29). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
Taylor, F. W. (1947).Scientific management [comprising Shop Management; The principles of scientific management; Testimony before the Special House Committee]. New York: Harper.
Tepas, D. I. (1972). Introductory remarks.Behavior Research Methods & Instrumentation,4, 42–43.
Tepas, D. I. (1974a). Computer analysis of the electroencephalogram: Evoking, promoting, and provoking.Behavior Research Methods & Instrumentation,6, 95–110.
Tepas, D. I. (1974b). Computer use in the psychology laboratory: A survey.Computer Programs in Biomedicine,4, 53–58.
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (1990). (BLS Reports on Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses in 1989).News (USDL Publication No. 90-582). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tepas, D.I. Computers, psychology, and work: Does the past predict a troubled future for this union?. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers 23, 101–105 (1991). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03203346
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03203346